Highview is the world’s first Blockchain B2B solution. Its technology allows users to integrate systems between companies, making the integral relationship between suppliers and vendors more collaborative.

The idea for the business originated when Mike Kersels, now CEO and founder of Highview, seized an opportunity in expanding technological managed services. Kersels initially moved to the Midwest when he was offered a job with SAP out of its Chicago office. His contract allowed him to work from anywhere in the Midwest, and he chose Madison because it had a “home feel.”

Highview began as a specialized platform for third-party support of B2B software, with a clientele consisting of SAP users looking to improve their business experience, both within their company and with business partners. (SAP is an international software company that offers a variety of business solutions for clients to manage operations and optimize customer relations.)

The company’s capabilities transformed when Kersels obtained the cloud-based B2B source code after the launch of SAP’s Public Cloud version of S/4HANA, which is a specialized technology that allows businesses to electronically integrate with their suppliers. This source code had long been in existence and was becoming an everyday commodity for vendors. Kersels made the decision to purchase the platform to revolutionize his business.

“Purchasing the platform not only provided us with a lower cost and faster time to market but also an instant baseline where we could begin to innovate from,” Kersels said. “This speed to market also made it possible for Highview to be the first to certify a B2B solution with SAP and then roll out the World’s first B2B solution to one of their S/4HANA Multitenant Cloud customers.”

Ryan Specialty Group, an international insurance organization, was Highview’s first client to go live with SAP’s S/4HANA Public Cloud. The company was experiencing rapid growth and worked with more than 900 vendors to supply its U.S. and European offices. To consolidate office purchasing and automate orders, Ryan Specialty Group sought out Highview’s SAP business solutions.

Highview’s brand has evolved side-by-side with the software solutions it offers. The name Highview is new to the company, which began as Enterprise Services Management and was changed to B/2BNOW at the beginning of 2019 to reflect its new business model.

Still searching for a permanent name, the company in the middle of 2019 raised equity capital, part of which was allocated to the formal renaming initiative. Highview was chosen for the re-launch in September 2019.

“The name very much embodies our forward-looking view toward continuous customer innovation,” Kersels said. “The giraffe graphic evolved out of a desire to visually depict our vantage point over what lies ahead and our ability to look further into the future. It’s also a strong, solid, iconic animal who moves quickly and lightly despite its size.”

The giraffe serves as a symbol for its ability to foresee clients’ needs. Highview strives to achieve an 80/20 goal, wherein 80 percent of its clients’ business fits industry standards and 20 percent is unique. Kersels’ technological offerings and business solutions allow Highview’s clients to remain competitive in their respective industries while maximizing internal strengths.

“I have found myself to be a proponent of the ‘fit to standard’ revolution,” Kersels said. “Customers can pivot faster to meet the changing needs of their own industries and customers the more they adhere to standards within their business processes. There are always going to be exceptions to standards, which help to allow for competitive advantage, legal and regulatory requirements.”

While Kersels did not disclose specific numbers, Highview has completed two rounds of funding since the launch of its SAP-certified business solution. Initial investment came from friends and family to get the business off the ground. In early 2019, Highview raised a pre-seed round that created opportunities to begin innovation initiatives and the aforementioned rebranding.

Kersels said he is currently expanding Highview’s office to create a stronger physical presence in Madison.

“We want to keep leveraging innovations such as Blockchain, AI and Machine Learning to bring automation and full transparency of data to the space,” Kersels said. “Highview has quickly evolved to becoming a thought leader in our space, both with SAP as well as their other partners and customers.”